Anyhoo, David Stove’s “Darwinian Fairytales”. Here we go.

Altruism within the evo scope can only be understood as a self serving strategy, yet notice how “pathological altruism” have been discussed in the HBD circles.

A funny line.

The game theory discrates that indeed it would be nice if everybody were a dumb hen and you, the sneakiest fox (with the shiniest fur, to the boot ;)

50% appeal of Stove is just his contrarian trolling;

sadly, his prose is nowhere near Dawkins’ :(

Very meta

Can’t trust Dawkins bc his message of selfish genes is not an objective truth, but just a manipulation on the part of his selfish genes, no? :P

The whole “online fringe folk ringing the alarm on corona virus” made me think about Stove’s take on communication.

Stove rejected the (Neo?) Darwinian belief that ppl communicate in order to deceive (examples: priests, religion in general)

Why did those folk talk about corona?

To raise their status? How? They are already on the fringes and I doubt NPR will get some of them on air.

To fool us? But indicating we should wear masks was a beneficial idea for all who would listen.

At the same time, ppl lie for their own benefit, Stove is aware of it.

The Enlightenment convinced the masses that it is ONLY priests who lie; Rationalia folk otoh are truth driven and would never withhold info (and if so, only to help fellow humans).

Stove has a cool discussion on twins (in theory, since they have the same genes they should care of each other as much as they care about themselves)

And then he goes on a mind trip of a thought experiment of caring for your own clone ...

Btw, the whole book is nicely summerized in 10 points here by Stove himself http://s8int.com/darwinian-stove.html